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2010 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

271 reports with mileage · 109 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports9 fire reports20 injury reports

Suspension complaints

31 reports
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56,800 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MONDAY AT PLANET NISSAN. ON SATURDAY 1/24/15 THE LIGHT WENT OFF, BUT I'VE HEARD SOME KNOCKING AND THE STEERING MAKES A RUBBING SOUND. SO FAR THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH I FILED A COMPLAINT HERE, AND WAS REIMBURSED, BUT BEFORE REIMBURSEMENT THEY TOLD …

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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MONDAY AT PLANET NISSAN. ON SATURDAY 1/24/15 THE LIGHT WENT OFF, BUT I'VE HEARD SOME KNOCKING AND THE STEERING MAKES A RUBBING SOUND. SO FAR THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH I FILED A COMPLAINT HERE, AND WAS REIMBURSED, BUT BEFORE REIMBURSEMENT THEY TOLD ME MY VIN DID NOT MATCH. SO I FIND THAT QUESTIONABLE. I'VE PUT ON NEW STRUTS ON THE FRONT AND REAR. NISSAN SAID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTS ARE CRACKED WHICH IS NOT COVERED. I'VE BEEN ON LINE AND SEE THAT 2010 MODELS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE NOT LOCATED THE RUBBING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I'VE CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER DEPARTMENT AND AM AWAITING A REPLY. SO FAR THE MASTER CYLINDER, STRUTS FRONT AND BACK, THE TRANSMISSION, AND NOW THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTS. ON A CAR WITH THIS LITTLE MILEAGE, I DON'T FEEL SECURE IN THIS CAR AND WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER NISSAN. I THINK THEY SHOULD REPAIR THE STRUT MOUNTS. I'VE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A CAR BEFORE. I WOULD SAY VERY POOR WORKMANSHIP. I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO PAYING THE CAR OFF AS I OWE VERY LITTLE AT THIS TIME AND I KEEP MY CARS A LONG TIME, BUT FEEL I HAVE A LEMON AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. AS MUCH AS WE PAY FOR CARS TODAY THERE SHOULDN'T BE SO MANY PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679462

70,121 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT DATE WAS ON 8/7/14 BUT ALSO REPORTED 8/23/14 & 9/30/14 AT TWO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. I WAS DRIVING AT 65MPH FOR 1 HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND FELT A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY TURNED RIGHT, I HAD TO ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE LANE AND SLOWLY DECELERATED T…

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT DATE WAS ON 8/7/14 BUT ALSO REPORTED 8/23/14 & 9/30/14 AT TWO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. I WAS DRIVING AT 65MPH FOR 1 HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND FELT A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY TURNED RIGHT, I HAD TO ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE LANE AND SLOWLY DECELERATED TO A STOP ON THE ROADSIDE WITHOUT IMMEDIATE BRAKING. WHILE BRAKING AT 15-20MPH I APPLIED THE BRAKE WHICH JERKED THE ENTIRE CAR TO THE RIGHT, SUSPENSION WAS STIFF ON PASSENGER FRONT STRUT. THE CAR HAD BARELY 70000 MILES, HAD BEEN UP TO DATE ON SERVICES, WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE STEERING INCIDENT. 8/23/14 THE CAR EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING WITH A "DRAGGING" FEEL AND NEARLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAR SEEMED TO "FLOAT" AND COULD NOT FIND A "STRAIGHT" LINE, EITHER IT TURNED SLIGHTLY LEFT OR SUDDEN RIGHT. THIS WAS INCREDIBLY CONCERNING AND I FELT IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE, TOLD TO INSTALL BRAKE BOOSTER. 9/30/14 UNABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE, UPON START IT WOULD "KNOCK" WHEN PUT INTO GEAR, GRINDING NOISE TO THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE, TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT IF COASTING AT 5MPH. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE ON A TEST DRIVE BUT ADVISED A NEW STEERING RACK, A DIAGNOSIS TO A PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT SEEN IN THE SHOP. ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR LONGER THAN AN HOUR OR AT HIGHWAY SPEED I HAVE LOST STEERING CONTROL. I HAVE HAD MY WIFE WITH ME ON TWO EVENTS, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS, I WILL BE TOWING THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE STEERING, "KNOCK" FROM SUSPENSION AND TRANSMISSION ARE ALL COMPROMISED AND DOCUMENTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641304

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2014
Suspension

THERE IS A LOUD NOISE. I HAVE HEARD SAME NOISE FROM OTHER ALTIMA'S. I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE A CRACK IN THE STRUTS FOR THIS MODEL. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619055

39,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Suspension

DURING A ROUTINE SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. SINCE THIS IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE CAR IN TERMS OF STABILITY AND SINCE THERE WAS ONLY 39000 MILES ON THE CAR I THOUGHT IT WAS LIKELY A FAULT IN MANUFACTURE. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND ONLY DRIVE ON WELL PAVED ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. I DO NOT P…

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DURING A ROUTINE SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. SINCE THIS IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE CAR IN TERMS OF STABILITY AND SINCE THERE WAS ONLY 39000 MILES ON THE CAR I THOUGHT IT WAS LIKELY A FAULT IN MANUFACTURE. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND ONLY DRIVE ON WELL PAVED ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. I DO NOT PULL A TRAILER OR THE LIKE. I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THIS BUT THEY DECLINED TO TAKE ACTION. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MIGHT REPRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD FOR OTHERS WHO MAY NOT HAVE THIS DEFECT DISCOVERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604465

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension

I STARTED TO HEAR A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. IT WAS FOUND TO BE THAT THE ALTERNATOR/CLUTCH WAS ABOUT TO GO OUT. I COULD ALSO HEAR IT WHEN DRIVING AND PRESSING MY FOOT ON THE GAS. THE RATTLING NOISE WAS PRESENT WHEN I WAS IN PARK OR REVERSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10585065

39,000 miles · Feb 11, 2013
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE DRIVER REAR WHEEL WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION ROD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE DRIVER REAR WHEEL WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION ROD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 03/12/13*LJ THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, SHE MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING EXTREMELY LARGE, AS THE WELDING HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED. UPDATED 03/13/13

NHTSA ODI #10497755

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING NORMAL SPEED LIMIT 60 MPH ON THE FWY WHEN WE HEARD A NOISE LIKE A BIG POP SOUND. RIGHT AWAY WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO GET OVER ( WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE) THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING SO BAD THAT I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE WHEEL. IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING. THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRA…

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I WAS DRIVING NORMAL SPEED LIMIT 60 MPH ON THE FWY WHEN WE HEARD A NOISE LIKE A BIG POP SOUND. RIGHT AWAY WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO GET OVER ( WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE) THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING SO BAD THAT I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE WHEEL. IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING. THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED IN THE CARPOOL DIVIDER. THIS WAS A BRAND NEW NISSAN ALTIMA 2010 COUPE WITH 60K MILES ON THE CAR. WE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AT THE TIME OR EVEN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, ALL PARTS ON THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW. I REMEMBERED THAT THE MORE THAT I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOCK HARDER AND HARDER TO WHERE I WAS UNABLE TO EVEN CONTROL IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435491

250 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

AS CAR ACCELERATES TO 20 MPH, THERE IS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT/UNDERCARRIAGE AREA. NOISE WAS NOTICED THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE. THE CAR NOW HAS 7,500 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER, THE LEAD TECH HAD ME RIDE WITH HIM TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE--IT HAPPENED. HE THEN TO…

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AS CAR ACCELERATES TO 20 MPH, THERE IS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT/UNDERCARRIAGE AREA. NOISE WAS NOTICED THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE. THE CAR NOW HAS 7,500 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER, THE LEAD TECH HAD ME RIDE WITH HIM TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE--IT HAPPENED. HE THEN TOOK ME FOR A RIDE IN A NEW MODEL ON THE LOT AND IT SEEMED TO PRODUCE THE SAME NOISE. HE ENDED THE RIDE AND DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. HE TOLD ME I WAS THE 4TH PERSON TO COME IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. HE STATED IT WAS THE ABS COMPLETING A SELF CHECK CYCLE...WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE VERY NOISY. THIS IS VERY HARD TO ACCEPT ON A NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE. IT'S VERY EMBARRASSING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376313

230 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH; THE VEHICLE ALSO SHOOK AT LOW SPEEDS AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING MORMAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH; THE VEHICLE ALSO SHOOK AT LOW SPEEDS AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING MORMAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 897. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SHOCKS WERE TOO WEAK FOR THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND WOULD NOT TURN, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT GIVING THE ACCURATE SPEED. UPDATED EVOQ 02./18/11 UPADTED 04/15/11

NHTSA ODI #10368183

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2010
Power TrainSuspension

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA MAKING A LOUD CLUNK NOISE. CONSUMER STATES THE NOISE HAPPENS ONLY WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, THE VEHICLE IS COLD, AND AT SPEEDS 30 MPH AND LESS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE WAS SO BAD, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STALL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED IT FELT AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPI…

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2010 NISSAN ALTIMA MAKING A LOUD CLUNK NOISE. CONSUMER STATES THE NOISE HAPPENS ONLY WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, THE VEHICLE IS COLD, AND AT SPEEDS 30 MPH AND LESS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE WAS SO BAD, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STALL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED IT FELT AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WOULD DRAG/SPUTTER. THE SLIPPING WAS SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE UNDERBODY WHICH LASTED FOR 3-4 SECONDS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10317571

Official recalls

3

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10V193000 · Structure

May 7, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 7, 2010 THROUGH APRIL 13, 2010. SOME OF THE FRONT SIDE MEMBER ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WELDED TO SPECIFICATION DUE TO A TOOL MAINTENANCE ERROR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF SEVERAL STRUCTURAL WELDS ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION ON A SINGLE VEHICLE, IT MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE VEHICLE CRASH PERFORMANCE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

09V358000 · Suspension

Sep 16, 2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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